Abuja residents have decried the planned power interruption while appealing to relevant authorities to hasten the relocation process.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company announced an impending power interruption in parts of its franchise areas between January 6 and January 21.

In an interview on Tuesday, the residents of Lugbe and its environs, Trademore Estate and Apo, expressed their displeasure with the development.

The consumers said they were not against the relocation of the transmission towers but expressed concern about not having a power supply for close to two weeks.

Comfort Maduka, a civil servant residing in Lugbe, said the relocation period was too long.

Ms Maduka said it would not be easy to cope with the situation as she had a lot of food items in her refrigerator.

”It will not be easy having no power supply for two weeks, as I already stocked a lot of food items in my refrigerator.

”I want to appeal to those concerned to hasten the process of the relocation or, if possible, ration the power supply, ”she said.

Gabriel Asemota, a welder and Lugbe resident, said it would be difficult to stay without electricity for two weeks.

Mr Asemota said that relocating the transmission towers to allow for the dualisation of the Apo road was good, noting that two weeks without power supply was worrisome.

”Those concerned should find a way to hasten the relocation process to ensure that power supply is restored before two weeks,” he said.

Lucy Okorie, a businesswoman and resident of Trademore Estate, said coping without electricity for over two weeks would affect her business.

Ms Okorie, who sells drinks and water to survive, said that staying without a power supply for two weeks will affect her business.

”I do not have a generator that I can use to power my freezer and ice blocks will be scarce; that means I will be out of business for two weeks,” she said.

Stephen Ehimen, a banker residing in Apo, said the relocation process was too long.

Mr Ehimen appealed to those in charge of relocating the transmission towers to hasten the process or find a way of rationing the power supply.

”We can not be out of power supply for two weeks; those concerned with the relocation of the transmission towers should do something to hasten the process,” he said.

(NAN)